Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

08-Jan-2000 -- It was partly cloudy, 34 degrees, with a west
wind of 3 mph as my friend, Vic and I left at 8 am for our first confluence
survey. After a 20-minute stop for a Hardee breakfast, we were on our
way north of our hometown of Centerville for the 35-mile drive to the
site. I had put the site in as waypoint and let Vic navigate our way north
up Interstate 75, skirt Macon on I-475 and on to the town of Forsyth. Taking
GA 83 we went soouth 3 miles out of town, driving through alternating fields
and forest. Just past Tobesofkee Creek, the road went back up hill and
my Garmin emap indicated the confluence was 90 degrees to the right of
us, when I spotted a wide pull-off on the right. This turned out to be an old
logging road and would lead us almost to the spot. Up about 50 yards from
the highway was a metal gate with barbed wire fencing on the left, but
nothing on the right except trees. (Pic 5) The land was marked as
"Posted -- No Hunting", but figuring we could talk our way out of
trouble, we proceeded around the gate. We went around the gate and followed
the roadbed to the top of a hill and back down for a 2 tenths of a mile. As we
rounded a curve in the road, the GPS started counting down the feet. It got
to a measurement of 10.5 feet before it lost reception. This was a very heavily
wooded area and we started losing the signal repeatedly. After trampling the
area for about 300 feet in all directions, even crossing a 7 foot deep streambed
(Pic 1) Vic and I decided that the original spot we measured was as close as
we would ever get so we went back to it. I recall the GPS reading N33.00.003
and W084.00.000, but in the excitement of actually finding it, I forgot to
snap a picture of the readout. We took turns photographing ourselves at
the spot. holding my homemade sign. (Pics 3 & 4) Over our left shoulder
tied to a limb is a surveyor's ribbon. Looks like some lucky person was ahead
of us!

This is a beautiful spot of unspoiled nature. The second picture (Pic 2) is of
the stream that crossed right in front of the confluence. It is a heavily wooded
area of both pine and hardwoods. I saw many dogwoods so I can imagine
the area come April will be in full bloom and gorgeous.

There is plenty of game in the area. We spotted some super-fresh deer
droppings as we walked in, but I resisted the urge to photograph it. I did
grab a picture of Vic as we trekked back to the car. (Pic 6)

We had a great time, had some laughs, got some fresh air and
exercise. We are already planning our next confluence survey to take place
in 3 weeks.